Catholics in Sri Lanka are boycotting the government over the detention of four Missionaries of Charity who were accused of child trafficking by an anonymous caller.

“I asked the sisters about the accusations against them and they were clear in their response that they have never sold a child nor given a child up in adoption without following the appropriate legal procedures,” said Cardinal Malcom Ranjith, archbishop of Colombo.

HOUSTON (CNS) -- The first head of a new ordinariate created for former Anglican parishes and individuals is a one-time sportswriter and a pilot and Houston seminary instructor who was ordained a Catholic priest in 2009.

Pope Benedict XVI announced the creation of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter Jan. 1. It is intended to function like a diocese, but nationwide in scope, for former members of the Anglican Communion who have become Catholic.

The year 2012 will be "a year of grace for the mission" in the Philippines: the Episcopal Conference has in fact declared it the "Year of the Pontifical Mission Societies" (POM), a period that will be marked by a renewed enthusiasm for the proclamation of the Gospel and the Christian witness, which is expressed in love for ones neighbor, especially the poor and needy. The proclamation of the Good News and solidarity are two key words in the Year of the PMS, in a country which is affected by the terrible social consequences of natural disasters such as the typhoon Sendong (or Washi) in Mindanao.

MOST Rev. Luis Antonio “Chito” Tagle will be formally installed as the 32nd archbishop of the Archdio-cese of Manila in solemn liturgical and canonical rites at the Manila Cathedral Monday.

Father Reginald Malicdem, private secretary of the Archbishop of Manila, said Tagle’s installation at 9 a.m. will be preceded by a “caracol” (dance) procession that will start at the San Agustin Church.